March is National Nutrition Month

The theme of this year’s National Nutrition Month is “”Put Your Best Fork Forward”. The campaign, sponsored by the American Dietetic Association, reminds us:

Eating right doesn’t have to be complicated. Use www.mypyramid.gov to develop a personalized plan for lifelong health.

The best nutrition advice is based on science. Before adopting any changes to your diet, be sure the information is based on scientific fact.

Top Facts for Nutrition:

Balancing physical activity and a healthful diet is your best recipe for managing weight and promoting overall health and fitness.

Think nutrient-rich rather than “good” or “bad” foods. The majority of your food choices should be packed with vitamins, minerals, fiber and other nutrients — and lower in calories.

Look at the big picture: No single food or meal makes or breaks a healthful diet. Your total diet is the most important focus for healthful eating.

Prepare, handle and store food properly to keep you and your family safe from food-borne illness.
Don’t fall prey to food myths and misinformation that may harm rather than benefit your health.
Read Nutrition Facts labels to get information that can help you make smart food choices quickly and easily. Pay attention to how many servings a package says it includes.

Find the healthful fats when making food choices. By choosing polyunsaturated or monounsaturated fats, you can keep your saturated fats, trans fats and cholesterol low.

To get more facts on nutrition or to locate a registered dietitian for personalized nutrition counseling, visit the ADA at

Improving Driver Health

Driving a truck can make healthy living a difficult challenge but not impossible. A lack of physical activity and fast food dining can add up to a health risk at any age.

Make Healthy Fast Food Choices

Stick to these simple ground rules:

Eat a variety of foods in moderate amounts.

Use less salt on your food. Carry seasonings (like Mrs. Dash) in your cab so you can add extra flavor without the extra salt.

Avoid foods labeled jumbo, giant, and super-sized. Larger portions mean more calories. Order a regular or junior portion instead.

Choose grilled or broiled sandwiches with meats like lean roast beef, turkey or chicken breast.
Request that special sauces or added dressings be left off your order, and add lots of veggies to the mix.

Skip the croissant or biscuit in favor of a bun, bread or English muffin.

Fill up at the salad bar if available, but beware of thick, creamy dressings.

When eating Mexican food, order bean burritos, soft tacos, fajitas and other items that are not fried. Chicken is better than beef, especially with the addition of lettuce, tomatoes and salsa. Limit refried beans, and go easy on cheese, sour cream, and guacamole. Watch out for fried tortilla shells! A taco salad can have more than 1,000 calories.

Pizza can be a good choice. Order thin crust pizza with veggie toppings, start with a salad, and limit yourself to one or two slices of pizza.

Avoid these traps: fat-free muffins with plenty of sugar, skinless fried chicken contains a lot of fat, Chinese food that is deep fried or high in sodium and fat.